Springfield, VA

Newington Forest (over 1800 homes) is the largest subdivision in Springfield. Since construction began in the 70's and was completed in the 80's there are numerous features not to be found in many newer subdivisions

• Detached homes with large lots
• Town homes with around grassy central areas for separation
• Extensive amount of treed common area
• Close-in convenience

Transportation is a key component of the popularity of Newington Forest

• FAIRFAX COUNTY COMMUTER BUS ROUTE #305 service to FRANCONIA-SPRINGFIELD METRO
• operates within Newington Forest. It is approximately a 30 minute trip.
• There is a SLUG LINE at the Sydenstricker Commuter lot.
• The LORTON VRE sataion is within 15 minutes

• FORT BELVOIR is about a 15 minute drive.

Convenience to Services and Recreation

• SOUTH RUN REC CENTER is approximately 15 minutes away.
• BURKE LAKE PARK is also within 15 minutes
• Neighborhood shopping centers withi 15 minutes include Huntsman Square, Saratoga Center, Gunston Plaza and Lorton Station Center

Try my NO REGISTRATION HOME SEARCH and then contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-562-1532. Put our record of customer service, real estate experience and state-of-the-art technology to work for you in Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Stafford County or the entire Northern Virginia Area.

Greentree Village located in West Springfield seems typical of many of the townhouse neighborhoods in the area. Brick front townhouses backing to trees and grassy islands slow traffic down for the kids to be able to play safely. Across the street from the neighborhood is one of the 380 parks maintained by the Fairfax County Park Authority. A Fairfax County Connector bus stop is at the entrance to the neighborhood, within 15 minutes is the Springfield Metro, close by shopping and great schools put the neighborhood in a central location.

But there is more to this terrific little neighborhood than houses, parks and transportion links.  The neighborhood also contains a little mystery as well.

Tucked behind the basketball court protected by a wrought iron fence are three gravestones from the 1800's. One has the name Addison Keen and another one with the name Clarintine V.   Close by you can also see a broken headstone for W. Keen. Unlike other historic graveyards in the area there are no markers to explain how these final resting places ended up in this location.

For those of us who grew up in the area the name Keen/Keene is easily recognized. The main road running through Springfield is Keene Mill Road and directly behind Greentree Village runs Keene Road. So what part of the history of the area did the Keen family bring to this particular area? First of all there was a mill on the Pohick Stream that runs through the area and records show it was owned by William Keen. An 1850 census of the area shows that William Keen was 35 years old, married and his occupation was miller.

This is where history takes a mystery turn. In 1855 William Keene was convicted of murdering another local man by the name of Hall.  Now local history disagrees as to whether William Keen was legally convicted of the murder but he was sentenced to death by hang. Over the following years additional information came forward that perhaps there had been jury tampering which led to his conviction. In 1858 his death sentence was commuted to 10 years in prison by the governor of Virginia. However it is unknown what actually happened to him. Prison records were lost when parts of Richmond was burned during the Civil War. It is not known whether William Keen died in prison, was released or walked out along with all of the other prisoners in 1867.

Whatever the story it makes living in one of the 124 townhouses in Greentree Village just a bit more intriguing. So as you are wandering through your neighborhood in Fairfax County take a closer look around. There is an amazing amount of history tucked in very unusual places.

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Recently renovated, beautiful, split-level home with one car garage and fenced in backyard. Freshly painted, new carpet in family room, new hardwood floors in living room/dining room. Original hardwood upstairs. 3 nice size bedrooms upstairs with renovated full bath and jacuzzi tub. Large carpeted bedroom with double closets and a full bath are located on lower level. Could be used for master or perfect for teenager, guests, or in-laws. 42" cabinets with new stainless steel appliances in kitchen. Ceiling fans in upper level bedrooms, living room, and family room. Large family room addition with two closets and door to back patio with built-in brick grill. Floored attic for additional storage. Located on quiet cul-de-sac street. Near Lake Accotink Park, metrorail, shopping centers, department stores, mall, metro bus is under .25miles. Walk to Springfield Swimming and Racquet Club. Less then 5miles to 395/495/95, near all major roadways. Move-in ready! Seller will pay for one year home warranty and up to 3 percent buyer's agent's commission. Assumable 5.25 percent fixed rate 30 year loan for VA qualified buyer. Showing by appointment only.

To directly access this property, use this shortcut: http://www.fizber.com/Virginia-buy-Single-Family-home-6957703.html

For the past week my wife and I have been going through file cabinets to eliminate those files that are no longer needed and have scanned those we need to retain

This includes personal files as well as client files. We have always maintained copies of client files in the event those maintained by our office are lost or misfiled. Our client files are now secure on memory sticks and our home is wired.

We have already filled four large trash bags with confetti. Shredders are a relatively inexpensive item to purchase, anywhere from $40.00 to a little over $100.00 for a home or small office model. Ours is a "deluxe model' that chews up credit cards, and CDs. It certainly beats sitting there tearing paper up into small pieces which isn't foolproof.

In today's climate shredding is a necessity. It is equally important to keep active files off a hard drive

SEARCH FOR HOMES and then contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-562-1532. Put our record of customer service, real estate experience and state-of-the-art technology to work for you in Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Stafford County or the entire Northern Virginia Area.

Over the past 33 years my husband and I have both sold a lot of real estate to and for people. It is not surprising that we find some subdivisions that are personally appealing to us. In Springfield three of my personal favorites are Rhygate, Charlestown and Greentree Village. They have several features in common:

• All brick
• Large islands separating them with trees and grassy areas
• Close to schools and library
• Public transportation readily available to major work centers
• Close to neighborhood shopping
• Charming architecture
• Reserved parking
• The homes are in the West Springfield High School Pyramid and are within 5 to 10 minutes of Pohick Regional Library

These are also the features many people seek in a home and they are available in areas other then just Springfield. We both know where they are.

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RHYGATE

A community of 100 townhomes located on Rolling Road just south of Old Keene Mill Road - it adjoins Springfield Golf and Country Club.

• The homes were built in the mid 1970's.
• They are all brick and some of them have a garage.
• The community is immaculate and very well groomed
• There are two neighborhood shopping centers at Old Keene Mill Road and Rolling Road
• Fairfax County Connector Bus to Metro is available on Rolling Road facilitating commuting time to the Pentagon and Washington, DC
• There are two Fairfax County Park facilities within easy reach of Rhygate - Lake Accotink and the South Run Rec Center.
• The Pohick Regional Library is approximately 10 minutes away.

CHARLESTOWN

A highly desireable and sought after town home community - the homes are all brick and the yard enclosures are all brick. There is a very active homeowner's association that can take credit for the excellent appearance of the community - exterior care is their responsibility.

• Fairfax County Connector Bus service to Metro is available on Old Keene Mill Road making it an ideal location for people who commute inbound to the Pentagon and DC. Also see SPRINGFIELD COMMUTING CROSSROADS Metrobuse Route 18P with Pentagon service is available on Rolling Road
• There is ample shopping in several shopping centers at Old Keene Mill and Rolling Roads.
• South Run Rec Center with a year round pool and other sports, family and individual activities is approximately 15 minutes away. Burke Lake Park has a public golf course and campsites - it is approximately 20 minutes from Charlestown. Lake Accotink Park with boat rental, fishing and picnic areas is also within approximately 15 minutes.

GREENTREE VILLAGE

Since there are only 124 homes in Greentree Village it is not as prominent as its' illustrious neighbor Orange Hunt Estates. The entrance is just west of Huntsman Boulevard on Fieldmaster. It is sited between Old Keene Mill and Sydenstricker surrounded by trees. The community itself has trees throughout and several treed common areas that resemble a village aquare. Two neighborhood shopping centers, Rolling Valley Mall and Huntsman Square are within approximately five minutes.

Commuters have several convenient options. There are 628 spaces at the Rolling Valley Mall Commuter Lot (approximately five minutes from the homes). All three of the options below operate from Rolling Valley Mall

• Fairfax County Commuter Bus #310 to the Franconia-Springfield Metro is available 7 DAYS A WEEK on OLD KEENE MILL ROAD.
• The Rolling Valley Slug Line has service to all DC locations as well as Crystal City and the Pentagon
• Metrobus Route 18P provides Pentagon service

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SEARCH FOR HOMES WITHOUT REGISTRATION and then contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-562-1532. Put our record of customer service, real estate experience and state-of-the-art technology to work for you in Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Stafford County or the entire Northern Virginia Area.